Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra became the first side to ensure their semi final place in the Super Cup after overcoming Muktijoddha Sangsad by 2-1 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday.
Apart from Russell, the three other teams of Group A all stood a chance of making it into the last four as Abahani Limited have two points while Muktijoddha and Feni Soccer Club are stranded on one point each.
Russell will take on Abahani on Tuesday while Muktijoddha will clash with Soccer Club on the same day that will determine which other team will go through to the semis alongside Russell.
Russell, who began their Super Cup campaign with a resounding 2-0 win over Soccer Club, failed to dominate the game against lowly Muktijoddha but they once again proved that they can come from behind and snatch a win as they did many times over the course of the season.
Russell produced the first attempt in the 23rd minute
when Nahidul Islam’s header from a Mamunul Islam corner came off the crossbar.
In the last minute before the interval, Mithun’s powerful shot from the edge of the box was cleared by Muktijoddha goalkeeper Ziaur Rahman.
After a listless first half, both sides increased their tempo in the second half in search of a goal.
Both sides dominated possession in the second half and Muktijoddha surprisingly broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 53rd minute when veteran striker Rokonuzzaman Kanchan headed in a corner from Faisal Mahmud.
Russell though equalised five minutes later when Zahid Hossain finished a superb move from Mithun Chowdhury by slotting past a number of defenders before sending his shot safely past the advancing goalie.
Russell confirmed victory in the 86th minute as Anwar headed in from a goal-mouth melee after a corner from Mamunul Islam was headed back to his path by Zahid Hossain.
-With New Age input
